Winter Activities...

Here are a few pics from the North Platte Lodge and Reef Fly Shop guide crew "off season". Enjoy!

Long Time Coming

It is a new year and we are excited for the season to begin. Things are looking up. The stock market has bounced up and hopefully employment will follow. Fuel prices have stayed relatively low and consumers have regained some confidence. It has been a wild ride and I'm sure it isn't yet time to let down our guard. BUT, one thing remains unchanged...Grey Reef fly fishing.
Last season was an amazing time. We enjoyed great dry fly fishing, bigger trout than we've seen in a couple years and lots of moisture. Hopefully we will see as much moisture as last year with fewer blowouts.
Although the North Platte River is frozen below Government Bridge there is still a bunch of uninhabited water to froth. Winter is a great time for a combination trip. Pack your skis and your rods and have a mini adventure. Fish Grey Reef on your way to ski Teton Pass or Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or Targhee. Or, If you are traveling from the north fish the Reef on your way to Summit County CO for turns in the snow.
IF you are traveling through the Denver area this weekend (Jan 7-10) stop by the Colorado Convention Center and say "hi". We will be attending the International Sportsman's Expo starting this Thursday. Stop in we'd love to see you.

Fall flush 09'...

Grey Reef is a truly fantastic fishery. It has held it own and managed to fair well as a wild trout river. A large part of it's success depends on clean gravel courtesy of the flushing flows. I would love to be sitting here writing about the success of last weeks fall flush. Obviously at this point we all know that didn't happen. I'm writing the following in hopes of maybe getting some outside opinions and maybe a little perspective.
Being involved in the outfitting business and making a living on this particular fishery, it only makes sense to have a FALL and spring flush. For reasons unknown to the common man the fall flush continues to get derailed, postponed, etc. Why is this??? Is it lack of water? Both Pathfinder and Seminoe Reservoirs sit at 70% of capacity, water levels not seen in nearly a decade and Alcova Reservoir must be rid of 10 ft of water before winter sets in. Well if it's not water, maybe it's because of some negative impact to the fish population? The flushing flows on Grey Reef are designed to clean the substrate of fine sediment/silt to improve spawning productivity...that sounds positive to me. I'm sure there is some minor form of mortality with the drastically fluctuating water. Maybe some poor little rainbow gets pushed into the path of a 10lb. brown trout and we know how that one ends. But seriously, regarding impact of a flush the positives (mainly increased spawning) out weigh the negatives.
I have made numerous phone calls, had various discussions with folks involved in the flushing process in the past week. I have yet to hear anything worthwhile in regards to why it did not happen. Last year it was bridge construction and this time, gate malfunction. Now I'm not calling bull shit but come on, really? I'm pretty sure there's 31 days in the month of October and somewhere around 30 in November. There's no reason it couldn't happen this week or maybe the next... We had a moisture laden year and there is no question as far as the silt buildup this season. We need a fall flush!!
In closing, it has become increasingly apparent that both the fishing and guiding community surrounding Grey Reef doesn't have a voice. Our opinions and feelings towards this fantastic fishery continually get overlooked. What's it going to take?
I hope to get some responses.
Trent

Fly Only for Fremont, Let 'em go

The latest poll asked about the use of bait and catch and release practices in Fremont Canyon. This was an issue I hadn't really put much stock in until Ryan and Josh of Wyoming Fly Fishing brought it up at a Wyoming Flycasters meeting. 73% of us agreed that this little gem of a fishery should be a catch and release fishery and the use of bait prohibited.
Over the years I have become much more tolerant of bait fishing and harvesting fish. But, nothing irks me more that a fisher keeping the fish...often time too many fish...just to display their machismo. Knowing full well that these fish will be in the trash way before the dinner table. Bait fishing and catch and release have no business going together based on how trout eat bait...fish swallow bait.
So is this an issue that should be brought the Wyoming Flycasters attention? Should we pursue this regulation? Is bait fishing and harvesting a problem in Fremont? Has anybody actually seen a bait fisher being irresponsible or a fisher harvesting too many trout from Fremont Canyon? Or, do we want this as a feel good fly fishers club scenario?
My take on this one is Fremont would be better off as a catch and release fishery. It would also benefit from artificial lures only BUT only one hook/lure and it must be barb-less. This is a special place that is not only fun but will become, unfortunately, more recognized. Anglers are already traveling to fish this place as their primary destination. The more it gets used the more it will be abused. There is really nothing wrong with making a few small fisheries a true sporting arena, where it is commonplace to be whipped by the fish. A great day would include more defeats than successes. Having your ass handed to you by the fish can be fun while teaching us valuable lessons. This will be a hard pill for some to swallow, but it isn't meant to discriminate against people. Everybody would be welcome, you just have to learn to enjoy the challenge more than conquering.
Give some feedback on this, either side of the coin.
Erik Aune

Grey Reef Hoppers!!!!

Well, the last month has proven to be prime time for hoppers on the North Platte. Grey Reef and Miracle Mile, two fisheries notorious for big fish and a less than average dry fly bite, have turned it up a notch with the addition of late summer "big foam" fishing. Almost any large foam pattern will readily raise a hefty N. Platte fish from almost any drop or riffle producing some incredible takes. To put it best, you have to see it, to believe it!
Trent

Project Carp Jon

Click the pictures for a bigger view





Project Carp Jon has reached it's temporary end. Below is a list of modifications that have been made this summer:
-Remove live well and weld the boat where live well penetrations were
-Build the live well space into a storage box that houses PFDs, anchor, tools, rope and fire extinguisher.
-Move the battery from the rear of the boat to the front. Eventually there will be a dual battery system, but I will use the existing Optima Yellow Top until it has expired. Then replace with 2 matching AGM batteries.
-Replace the old 6 gallon fuel tank with a 12 gallon unit.
-Added a front aluminum casting platform. Secured with a cam strap to a Kennedy tie down. Kennedy tie downs are nice because you can easily remove the eye bolt so there isn't a tripping hazard on the deck of the boat when you remove the casting platform. Originally, I was going to use a Yeti Cooler as the casting platform but it was tough to see around when under way.
-Added a poling platform. The poling platform can be removed in about 10 seconds so it isn't a permanent fixture. The brackets are easily removable, but I doubt I will have a reason the take them off. They are mounted to the transom and don't interfere with space or function of the boat. Profab in Casper, WY did the poling platform fabrication from my design. Tom Bower Decorative welding powder coated the poling and casting platforms. I chose black because it I liked the look...knowing full well that my toes will probably get cooked on warm days.
-Built a Mangrove carbon fiber pole to move the boat around.

Old modifications include:
-Bow and stern trolling motors. Each is used for a different type of fishing
-Installed a depth finder.
-Pedestal seating.

All of the modifications can be removed and the boat can be reconfigured for different activities. It is a fun project now I just have to use it!
Erik Aune

North Platte- Summer Recap

Here are a collection of photos from this summer. This past summer proved to be one of the best I've seen in my 10 year career on the North Platte. Golden stones on the "Mile", tricos at Grey Reef, and weird weather made it unique to say the least. Enjoy!
Trent